于洪君
2021年12月3日,是中老兩國關系史上一個極不尋常的日子。這一天,兩國最高領導人習近平與通倫,通過視頻連線的方式共同出席了中老鐵路通車儀式。
中老鐵路北起中國昆明,南至老撾萬象,是第一條采用中國標準、利用中國技術、中老合作建設、雙方共同運營、直接連通中國鐵路網(wǎng)的跨境鐵路。
中老鐵路全長1035公里,途經(jīng)磨盤山、哀牢山、無量山和元江、阿墨江、把邊江、瀾滄江,地形地貌極其復雜,橋梁隧道占比極高,施工難度非常之大,建設方案隨時調(diào)整。中方施工單位高度重視沿線基礎配套建設,對學校寺廟及鄉(xiāng)村道路進行修葺改造,顯著提高了當?shù)孛癖娚钏胶彤數(shù)亟?jīng)濟可持續(xù)發(fā)展能力。
中老鐵路通車,是老撾現(xiàn)代化進程中具有劃時代意義的重大事件。老撾從較為封閉的“陸鎖國”,變成與外部世界聯(lián)系暢達的“陸聯(lián)國”。
中老鐵路同時也是中老兩國睦鄰友好互利合作的旗艦項目,是中國-中南半島經(jīng)濟走廊建設的重點工程,在“一帶一路”國際合作大棋局中影響深遠。東盟各國和全世界對中老鐵路全線通車刮目相看。隨著這條鐵路全線貫通并持續(xù)延展,中國與東南亞互聯(lián)互通、共建共享、聯(lián)動發(fā)展的潛能將進一步釋放,中老命運共同體和中國東盟命運共同體建設前景將更加廣闊。
國家主席習近平高度贊揚中老雙方高水平高質(zhì)量地完成了這項鐵路工程,以實際行動詮釋了中老命運共同體精神的深刻內(nèi)涵,展現(xiàn)了兩國社會主義制度集中力量辦大事的特殊優(yōu)勢。我們相信,雙方再接再厲,善作善成,一定會把這條鐵路維護好運營好,把沿線地區(qū)開發(fā)好建設好,讓這條黃金線路造福沿線人民。
(作者系中聯(lián)部原副部長、全國政協(xié)參政議政人才庫特聘專家、中國論壇特約專家、《一帶一路報道》特聘專家)
December 3, 2021, is an unusual day in the history of China-Laos relations. Xi Jinping and Thongloun Sisoulith, leaders of the two countries, attended the opening ceremony of China-Laos Railway via video link.
Linking Chinas Kunming in the north and Laos Vientiane in the south, it is the first cross-border railway adopting Chinese standards, utilizing Chinese technologies, jointly built and operated by China and Laos, and directly connected to the Chinese railway network.
With a total length of 1,035 kilometers, the railway passes Mopan Mountain, Ailao Mountains, Wuliang Mountain, Yuanjiang River, Amo River, Babian River and Lancang River. The complicated landforms and large number of bridges and tunnels make the project construction quite difficult, so that countless adjustments have been made to the construction plan. The Chinese construction unit attaches great importance to the infrastructure construction along the railway. It repaired and renovated schools, temples and rural roads, significantly improving the living standards of the local people and the sustainable development of the local economy.
The opening of China-Laos Railway is an epoch-making event in the modernization of Laos. The railway helps Laos to convert itself from a land-locked country to a land-linked country.
Besides, the railway is a flagship project that represents the good-neighborliness as well as friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. It is also a major project in the construction of China–Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, exerting a profound impact on Belt and Road cooperation. The railway has amazed all parts of the world, including countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Its extension after opening will further the connectivity, cooperation, sharing and interconnected development between China and Southeast Asia. The construction of China-Laos community with a shared future and China-ASEAN community with a shared future will see a broader prospect.
President Xi Jinping highly praised all parties involved in the railway for their high-level and high-quality completion of the project. They interpreted the connotation of the spirit of China-Laos community with a shared future and displayed the advantages of the socialist system that can gather forces to finish a major task. Through persistent efforts, the two countries will always achieve the intended goals as planned, including maintenance and operation of the railway as well as development and construction of areas along the route, so as to benefit the people along the route.
Yu Hongjun, Former Vice Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC, Distinguished Expert of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference Political Participation Talent Pool, Special Expert of China Forum, and Distinguished Expert with The Belt and Road Reports